Nechirvan Barzani’s trip to Moscow where he met with President Vladimir Putin just two days after the Russian leader was sworn in for a fourth term marks a revival of the Kurdistan Region’s international relations after the lack of support for the independence referendum, Safeen Dizayee, the spokesperson for the KRG, told Rudaw in Moscow.
“Our relations with countries like Russia, France, Germany, and all other countries will improve step-by-step, and Kurdistan’s diplomacy will prevail. We will once again reach the level of the diplomatic and international relations we used to have,” Dizayee vowed.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Safeen Dizayee: [PM Barzani’s] participation in such an event is a significant thing for us. The meeting with Vladimir Putin took place after the [Victory Day] ceremony. They both reiterated historical relations between Kurdistan and Russia throughout history and in the future. We shall both insist on new relations in terms of society, politics, and economy. Mr. Putin reiterated his support for the people of Kurdistan and good relations between Russia and the Kurdistan Region.
After October 16, Iraqi and international relations with the KRG changed. What do you think of the Russian reaction? Was this discussed in the meeting or not?
If you look at the last year’s events, some countries had tough positions on Kurdistan, but Russia’s position was not like that. It possibly did not like it so much or reacted softly. We appreciate this position.
Unfortunately, there were many pressures on the Kurdistan Region. A blockade was imposed. Today, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s and its prime minister’s diplomacy did something which caused the lifting of the blockade. [Barzani] was officially received at received at Elysee by the president of France. Then he was received in Germany, the Vatican, and Tehran. He also attended some international summits like Davos and Munich. Now, he is in Moscow. There will also be other visits to other countries.
We as the people and government of Kurdistan always want to have good relations with other countries. We will respond positively to Russia, America, Iran, Turkey, and all other countries who offer us brotherhood and friendship. We will take a step forward to make our international relations better.
What did Putin tell Nechirvan Barzani and what did Nechirvan Barzani want from Putin?
As I mentioned before, they both reiterated the historical relations between the people of Kurdistan and Russia since the Soviet era. This relationship is a base so that we can strengthen our relations in terms of energy, economy, and supporting the case of the people of Kurdistan through stability and security in Kurdistan. [They discussed] our relations with our neighbors and resolving problems between Kurdistan and Baghdad through peace, democracy, diplomacy, and dialogue. They insisted on the fact that our relations should be stronger.
Was Putin making a statement of Russia’s position on the KRG by inviting Barzani to Russia?
Of course. This is the second time that Mr. Barzani met with Mr. Putin. Last year, they met at the economic forum of Saint Petersburg and he was officially invited to today’s important event. After a meal was served, Putin had a special meeting with Barzani. We believe this is a good message at this point in time in terms of the psychology of the people of Kurdistan who were subjected to a lot of pressure when flights were not allowed, and financial blockade and many other things were imposed. Our relations with countries like Russia, France, Germany, and all other countries will improve step-by-step, and Kurdistan’s diplomacy will prevail. We will once again reach the level of the diplomatic and international relations we used to have. We hope will be improved.
Soon there will be an election in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. What message does this visit have for the election?
He has come here as the prime minister of the Kurdistan Region, not as deputy leader of KDP [Kurdistan Democratic Party]. But this shows that the Kurdistan Regional Government’s diplomacy and its energy policy have been successful. Therefore, it is true that it has historical relations with Russia and such meetings occurred previously with foreign ministers and other people, but the level shows care for the relations from both sides. We hope the elections, which a few days are left, will end with safety. It is a democratic process where people will decide which party to vote for so that they can go to Baghdad to defend their rights through the constitution and law. The decision is in the hands of the people. But this achievement and diplomacy is sourced from the prime minister of the Kurdistan Region.
As you know, Barzani was officially invited by the CEO of Rosneft, Igor Sechin. Did Sechin meet personally with Barzani? If they did, what did they discuss?
The invitation was from the Kremlin on the recommendation of Rosneft. The regional government and the ministry of natural resources have good relations with Rosneft and all the companies that work in Kurdistan. We believe that Rosneft's activities will increase in Kurdistan soon. Relations and meetings continue.
The annual Saint Petersburg forum will start on May 24 and last for three days. The KRG has been invited. Do you think that great contracts are expected to be signed?
The contracts which have been signed so far have been great. If new attempts are made, the Kurdistan Regional Government will be ready, but so far this has not been discussed. We are grateful for what exists for now. It is in the interest of the people of Kurdistan and it will strengthen Kurdistan’s relations with the outside.
“Our relations with countries like Russia, France, Germany, and all other countries will improve step-by-step, and Kurdistan’s diplomacy will prevail. We will once again reach the level of the diplomatic and international relations we used to have,” Dizayee vowed.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Safeen Dizayee: [PM Barzani’s] participation in such an event is a significant thing for us. The meeting with Vladimir Putin took place after the [Victory Day] ceremony. They both reiterated historical relations between Kurdistan and Russia throughout history and in the future. We shall both insist on new relations in terms of society, politics, and economy. Mr. Putin reiterated his support for the people of Kurdistan and good relations between Russia and the Kurdistan Region.
After October 16, Iraqi and international relations with the KRG changed. What do you think of the Russian reaction? Was this discussed in the meeting or not?
If you look at the last year’s events, some countries had tough positions on Kurdistan, but Russia’s position was not like that. It possibly did not like it so much or reacted softly. We appreciate this position.
Unfortunately, there were many pressures on the Kurdistan Region. A blockade was imposed. Today, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s and its prime minister’s diplomacy did something which caused the lifting of the blockade. [Barzani] was officially received at received at Elysee by the president of France. Then he was received in Germany, the Vatican, and Tehran. He also attended some international summits like Davos and Munich. Now, he is in Moscow. There will also be other visits to other countries.
We will take a step forward to make our international relations better 
What did Putin tell Nechirvan Barzani and what did Nechirvan Barzani want from Putin?
As I mentioned before, they both reiterated the historical relations between the people of Kurdistan and Russia since the Soviet era. This relationship is a base so that we can strengthen our relations in terms of energy, economy, and supporting the case of the people of Kurdistan through stability and security in Kurdistan. [They discussed] our relations with our neighbors and resolving problems between Kurdistan and Baghdad through peace, democracy, diplomacy, and dialogue. They insisted on the fact that our relations should be stronger.
Was Putin making a statement of Russia’s position on the KRG by inviting Barzani to Russia?
Of course. This is the second time that Mr. Barzani met with Mr. Putin. Last year, they met at the economic forum of Saint Petersburg and he was officially invited to today’s important event. After a meal was served, Putin had a special meeting with Barzani. We believe this is a good message at this point in time in terms of the psychology of the people of Kurdistan who were subjected to a lot of pressure when flights were not allowed, and financial blockade and many other things were imposed. Our relations with countries like Russia, France, Germany, and all other countries will improve step-by-step, and Kurdistan’s diplomacy will prevail. We will once again reach the level of the diplomatic and international relations we used to have. We hope will be improved.
This [visit] shows that the Kurdistan Regional Government’s diplomacy and its energy policy have been successful
Soon there will be an election in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. What message does this visit have for the election?
He has come here as the prime minister of the Kurdistan Region, not as deputy leader of KDP [Kurdistan Democratic Party]. But this shows that the Kurdistan Regional Government’s diplomacy and its energy policy have been successful. Therefore, it is true that it has historical relations with Russia and such meetings occurred previously with foreign ministers and other people, but the level shows care for the relations from both sides. We hope the elections, which a few days are left, will end with safety. It is a democratic process where people will decide which party to vote for so that they can go to Baghdad to defend their rights through the constitution and law. The decision is in the hands of the people. But this achievement and diplomacy is sourced from the prime minister of the Kurdistan Region.
As you know, Barzani was officially invited by the CEO of Rosneft, Igor Sechin. Did Sechin meet personally with Barzani? If they did, what did they discuss?
The invitation was from the Kremlin on the recommendation of Rosneft. The regional government and the ministry of natural resources have good relations with Rosneft and all the companies that work in Kurdistan. We believe that Rosneft's activities will increase in Kurdistan soon. Relations and meetings continue.
We believe that Rosneft's activities will increase in Kurdistan soon
The annual Saint Petersburg forum will start on May 24 and last for three days. The KRG has been invited. Do you think that great contracts are expected to be signed?
The contracts which have been signed so far have been great. If new attempts are made, the Kurdistan Regional Government will be ready, but so far this has not been discussed. We are grateful for what exists for now. It is in the interest of the people of Kurdistan and it will strengthen Kurdistan’s relations with the outside.
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